Iran’s Khatam into Asian Club Volleyball Championship Semis
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Unbeaten Khatam Ardakan, led by star spiker Shahram Mahmoudi, powered its way to the semi-final of the 2018 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.
On Saturday, the Iranian team powered past fighting Nakhonratchasima The Mall VC from Thailand in hard-fought three-setter 25-22 25-23 25-23 at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium Hall B.
Shahram Mahmoudi chipped in with 14 points, all from his powerful attacks, while Hamzeh Zarini added 11 points.
Brazilian Pablo Fernando De Souza Cirqueira led Nakhonratchasima with 16 points including 15 kills from 30 attempts, while powerful hitter Jirayu Raksakaew and Wanchai Tabwises added 10 points apiece.
“It’s a good match and both teams did their best for a place in the semi-final. We next play Sanest Khanh Hoa from Vietnam. They are a strong team and certainly, they will play us with an aim of not losing easily to us. All teams come here with only one aim in mind – to win. It will not be an easy match for sure, but we will do our best. This is our first time for our club Ardakan to play in the Asian Men’s Club and we just want to return with good results from this championship,” Ardakan head coach Abbasali Mirhosseini commented.
The Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship is being held in Naypyidaw, Myanmar from 30 July to 6 August.
The tournament will serve as the Asian qualifiers for the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship with the champion qualifying for the world championship.
